'Arsonist' online threats taken down

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Facebook has begun removing postings and groups that threaten
violence against accused arsonist Brendan Sokaluk, while his
MySpace page has been suspended following requests from Victoria
Police.

Yesterday it was revealed that thousands of Facebook vigilantes, frustrated
at a court order protecting Sokaluk, published his photograph and
address on the site and made numerous threats to his life.

The move potentially breached an order suppressing his image and
address amid fears of a violent backlash by angry victims. Lawyers
warned that people responsible for the postings could face criminal
charges, while the messages could force a mistrial as they
jeopardised the accused's right to a fair trial.

Sokaluk's lawyer, Julian McMahon, said threats were made against
his client's family as a result of the online posts.

"There have been ... threats made to one other family member at
least that I'm aware of," he said.

"Not only is there the understandable community anger, which
suddenly has a focus point, there's also vicious hatred appearing
in another kind of medium."

But after Victoria Police said yesterday it was investigating
the legal ramifications of the online postings, Facebook has
removed the worst postings calling for Sokaluk to be tortured.

An image of Sokaluk has also been removed from one of the
groups, although it can still be found on another profile that
appears to have been set up by an online prankster.

Some inflammatory postings remain, including: "String him up by
the neck and set the bastard on fire."

A link to Sokaluk's MySpace page was widely circulated yesterday
but it has now been disabled, MySpace Australia director of safety
David Batch said.

"MySpace has local representatives who work closely with law
enforcement at a state and federal level. In this instance MySpace
is working closely with Victoria Police and has suspended the
accused's MySpace profile pending the outcome of the police
investigation and any court determination," said Batch.

A Facebook spokeswoman said the site extended sympathy and
concern for all those affected by the Victorian bushfires. She said
Facebook was an online network that enabled everyday conversations
to be carried out online.

"We want Facebook to be a place where people can discuss issues
and current affairs, while respecting the rights and feelings of
others," the spokeswoman said.

"For example, as set out in our Code of Conduct and Terms of
Use, we will remove groups reported to us that are found to express
hatred or threaten violence towards people. The goal of our Code of
Conduct and policies is to strike a very delicate balance between
giving Facebook users the freedom to express their opinions and
beliefs, while also ensuring that individuals and groups of people
do not feel threatened or endangered."

Sokaluk is accused of starting the the Churchill fires in
Gippsland, which killed at least 11 people.

He has been charged with one count of arson causing death, one
count of intentionally lighting a bushfire and one count of
possessing child pornography.

The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, with the
bushfire charge carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years.